News

Team up with The Thirst Project

Saturday, March 08, 2014

Dirty little secret

About 780 million people on our planet don’t have access to safe, clean water. Even worse, 4,400 kids under the age of five will die today from drinking dirty water. Those are disturbing statistics—and we’re doing something about it. Key Club International is teaming up with The Thirst Project, the world's leading youth water-activism organization, this month to help.

The Thirst Project is a nonprofit organization that travels across the United States and speaks at schools to educate students about the global water crisis. Its movement, fueled by high school and college students, builds freshwater wells in developing nations and impoverished communities to provide people with safe, clean water. In just five years, The Thirst Project has worked with more than 300,000 students on 320 campuses across the United States to raise US$6 million. That six million dollars has given more than 250,000 people in 11 countries safe, clean water. Because The Thirst Project receives private donations to help with operating expenses, it can guarantee that 100 percent of all public donations go directly to funding freshwater wells on the ground.

We’re super excited to be partnering with The Thirst Project this month and to be part of this movement to end the global water crisis. As Key Club members, making a difference in our communities and the world isn’t anything new. It's what we do best. And we share The Thirst Project's belief that teenagers are the world’s most powerful agents for social change. That's why we're taking action!

So, how can I help?

It’s simple, actually, and you don’t even have to raise or donate any money! Just spread the word through the “Dirty Little Secret” campaign this month. Most people aren't talking about the issue of clean water, even though it's one of the biggest “dirty little secrets” in the world. Spread the word—and share the secret!

All you have to do is carry around a bottle of dirty water with you all month long. Bring it to your desk at school (if that’s allowed), the dinner table, the gym, everywhere you go. Turn your bottle into a conversation starter. People will ask you why you're carrying around a bottle of dirty water, which gives you the perfect opportunity to talk about the global water crisis and what The Thirst Project is doing about it.

Then, on World Water Day (Saturday, March 22), you’re encouraged to “go silent” to stand in solidarity with the 780 million people whose voices go unheard every day. Watch the Disney Channel’s Bella Thorne talk about all of the awesome things The Thirst Project is doing to make this happen. Make your own dirty water bottle and get a free sticker to wear on World Water Day at www.thirstproject.org/dirtylittlesecret.

Your part in ending the global water crisis doesn't have to end when April comes. Bring The Thirst Project to your school! The Thirst Project can host a free assembly for your whole student body or make a presentation to your club. Email Amber@ThirstProject.org to set something up today!